After a horrific and monumental collapse in personal performance, during the 2012 Major League Baseball postseason, Jose Valverde, the once-lauded closer, now finds himself without a home and on the free-agent market. The Tigers had hoped a stint on the bench following his lackluster performances against Oakland and New York would help the struggling "Big Potato" turn things around. However, it was not to be the case.

In the same October 30 statement in which general manager Dave Dombrowski announced the parting of ways with Valverde, he gave some insight into who may be next to take the Tigers' role as closer. With several names currently possible, it was surprising to many that the name he tossed about more freely was that of young, minor league prospect, Bruce Rondon.

The Tigers' 2012 Organizational Player of the Year, Rondon boasts a nasty fastball that reached upwards of 103+ mph. At that speed, even a one-pitch hurler can excel in a major league bullpen. Rondon, however, is not just another Joel Zumaya-esque one-trick pony.

Rondon possesses two vital attributes that may lend him credibility in garnering the big league role in 2013. To start, he has an above average arsenal of breaking pitches that, when "on," rival those of many major league starting pitchers. Secondly, and perhaps more importantly, he has something current roster veterans Al Albuquerque and Octavio Dotel do not - closing experience.

In the past three seasons, Rondon has 65 saves and has impressed many in the organization with the added fact that he "thinks" like a closer. In a farm system that currently lacks in closer and shortstop depth, having a potential future star at the closing position is something Detroit not only relishes, but is relying upon for next season's success. Whether he emerges from Spring Training the clear-cut winner, or remains an active bullpen-arm-in-waiting, he will, no doubt, continue to learn from some of the game's best and most experienced hurlers, such as Dotel, until his time finally comes. Judging by Dombrowski's praise and comments, that time may be sooner than many once believed.

Should Rondon make it through camp and elicit enough of an impression on his teammates and front-office staff to make the grade, his learning curve will be short, as Detroit figures to be a major player in the quest for the 2013 World Series. In that case, Rondon will have little room for error.

The author, D. Benjamin Satkowiak, is a successful entrepreneur and published, freelance author, who has tailored works on various sports, health and fitness topics. He currently serves as a Yahoo! Contributor Network "Featured Contributor" and writes on the Detroit Tigers, Detroit Lions, Great Lakes Loons and Notre Dame football.

Continued here:
Tigers Look to Youth in Potential Closer: Fan Reaction

LONDON (ShareCast) - Shares in household products and personal care behemoth Reckitt Benckiser (LSE: RB.L - news) jumped after it produced solid results for the third quarter, with like-for-like net revenue growth of four per cent at constant exchange rates driven by strong growth in emerging markets. It also said it will meet growth expectations.

For the year-to-date (YTD), net revenues of 7,091m were also up 4% on a like-for-like basis. However, if you include the impact of exchange rates, net revenues for the year to date were flat compared with the same period in 2011.

Rakesh Kapoor, Chief Executive Officer, said: "Reckitt Benckiser's strong third quarter results were underpinned by an excellent performance in emerging markets and an improved performance in Europe North America. Growth came from all core areas and categories. RBP continues to make very good progress with Suboxone sublingual film. I am very pleased that our new strategy and our renewed commitment to managing the business for the long term are showing encouraging results.

"Our results give us the confidence to reiterate our FY 2012 target of like-for-like net revenue growth (excluding its RBP acquisition) of 200bps above our market growth rate. We now expect market growth to be at the top end of the 1-2% range. We continue to expect to maintain full year operating margins."

Europe (Chicago Options: ^REURUSD - news) and North America

In Europe and North America, which delivered 55% of core net revenues, total net revenues YTD decreased to 3,442m with flat like-for-like growth.

Within this geographic area, Gaviscon and Durex delivered strong results for the health division, though this was offset by weakness YTD in seasonal brands such as Mucinex, Strepsils and certain products within Nurofen on the back of a slower start to the 'flu season earlier in the year.

Its Hygiene brands of Lysol and Finish performed strongly, particularly in the US behind new initiatives, such as Lysol Power & Free, Finish Quantum and All-in-1 gel packs and tablets. In the Home category, Vanish shares showed positive momentum, although the market is still down.

Latin America and Asia-Pacific (KSE: 002790.KS - news)

In Latin America and Asia-Pacific, which delivered 28% of core net revenues, total net revenues YTD increased 11% at constant exchange rates to 1,736m, with like-for-like growth of 11%.

Read the rest here:
Reckitt Benckiser sees strong growth in emerging markets - UPDATE

A young cross country runner in California is tearing up courses at a pace never seen before, leading some experts to already proclaim that she may soon be considered one of the great prep runners of all time.

Sarah Baxter crushed the previous course record at the Mt. Sac Invitational Runnerspace

As reported by the Riverside Press-Enterprise, Simi Valley (Calif.) High junior Sarah Baxter won the Mt. SAC Invitational with a blistering time of 16:00. That time obliterated a previous 11-year-old record on the three-mile course -- widely considered one of the toughest in the state and possibly the nation -- by some 16 seconds, leaving area writers and prep track analysts completely agape at the time she turned in.

"[Baxter's 16-minute run is] the most amazing female individual performance in U.S. prep annals," PrepCalTrack.com editor Rich Gonzalez, one of the most respected track analysts on the West Coast, wrote on his website.

"Baxter, already owning the distinction of beating the strongest prep field in U.S. history at last year's Nike Cross Nationals, applied an even grander exclamation point on Saturday. Actually, it was the grandest:

"'Greatest High School Performance Ever.'"

For some sense of just how dominant Baxter's performance was, all one need do is take a glance at her closest competitor. The second-place finisher at the Mt. SAC Invitational was Santa Clarita (Calif.) Golden Valley High star Chelsey Totten, who crossed the finish line at 17:08. That's more than a minute after Baxter finished, across a span of just three miles!

You can see just how long that was in real time in the video of the Mt. SAC finish line directly below, as filmed by Christina Truong.

Baxter has been turning in blazing times in cross country and on the track, but her performance at Mt. SAC was stunning even for her past success. Her prior personal best was a time of 16:41, and she entered the invitational with a goal of topping that time. According to the Ventura County Star, her coach, Roger Evans, told her to try and run a 16:35.

She bettered that by 35 seconds.

Originally posted here:
California teen turns in cross country time called ‘greatest high school performance ever’

LONDON (ShareCast) - Shares in household products and personal care behemoth Reckitt Benckiser (LSE: RB.L - news) jumped after it produced solid results for the third quarter, with like-for-like net revenue growth of four per cent at constant exchange rates driven by strong growth in emerging markets. It also said it will meet growth expectations.

For the year-to-date (YTD), net revenues of 7,091m were also up 4% on a like-for-like basis. However, if you include the impact of exchange rates, net revenues for the year to date were flat compared with the same period in 2011.

Rakesh Kapoor, Chief Executive Officer, said: "Reckitt Benckiser's strong third quarter results were underpinned by an excellent performance in emerging markets and an improved performance in Europe North America. Growth came from all core areas and categories. RBP continues to make very good progress with Suboxone sublingual film. I am very pleased that our new strategy and our renewed commitment to managing the business for the long term are showing encouraging results.

"Our results give us the confidence to reiterate our FY 2012 target of like-for-like net revenue growth (excluding its RBP acquisition) of 200bps above our market growth rate. We now expect market growth to be at the top end of the 1-2% range. We continue to expect to maintain full year operating margins."

In Europe and North America, which delivered 55% of core net revenues, total net revenues YTD decreased to 3,442m with flat like-for-like growth.

Within this geographic area, Gaviscon and Durex delivered strong results for the health division, though this was offset by weakness YTD in seasonal brands such as Mucinex, Strepsils and certain products within Nurofen on the back of a slower start to the 'flu season earlier in the year.

Its Hygiene brands of Lysol and Finish performed strongly, particularly in the US behind new initiatives, such as Lysol Power & Free, Finish Quantum and All-in-1 gel packs and tablets. In the Home category, Vanish shares showed positive momentum, although the market is still down.

In Latin America and Asia-Pacific (KSE: 002790.KS - news) , which delivered 28% of core net revenues, total net revenues YTD increased 11% at constant exchange rates to 1,736m, with like-for-like growth of 11%.

In Health, Paras brands in India and Durex, particularly in China, grew very strongly. In Hygiene, Dettol, Finish, and Harpic delivered strong growth behind initiatives such as Dettol Daily Care, Re-energize, and High Performance for Men soap and shower gels. Surface cleaners continued to experience good growth across the Area. Vanish and Air Wick performed well in the Home category.

In Russia, the Middle East and Africa, which delivered 17% of core net revenue, total net revenues YTD increased 8% at constant exchange rates to 1,077m with like-for-like growth of 8%.

See original here:
Results Round-up

Equifax research highlights the importance of keeping personal information safe as Get Safe Online Week (22-26 October) launches

(PRWEB UK) 22 October 2012

The reputable organisations that trade online are doing a good job of protecting consumers data and identities, said Neil Munroe, External Affairs Director. But unfortunately there have been a number of scams featuring fake websites and phishing emails that have put consumers at risk. Our research shows that nearly half have regretted, in hindsight, providing more information than they feel happy about. Clearly consumers should only provide personal data where they believe they can fully trust the organisation and the website if they have any doubts, they should abandon the transaction.

Indeed, our research also shows that more than half (56%) of consumers will abandon a transaction if they think theyre being asked for too much personal information. We think that shows that consumers are becoming more knowledgeable about the questions a legitimate website would ask, versus those of a scam site.

This is exactly the sort of issue that is being highlighted by Get Safe Online Week, which starts today. Raising awareness of the risks of online fraud, it is also encouraging people to pass on online safety tips to each other at http://www.getsafeonline.org/. This is a good way to ensure that the websites and emails that dont look genuine get spotted so that consumers dont fall foul of the fraudsters.

In the Equifax commissioned survey of 2,000 UK adults, nearly 40% of consumers said they were happy to part with their personal information for a good deal or online discount, but they need to have confidence in the website or company they are using. And a third of consumers understand why security questions on websites have to be thorough.

Shopping, socialising and banking online is now part of everyday life, with many of us enjoying the convenience and benefits it offers. But people need to protect themselves from the risks, concluded Neil Munroe. The sophistication of online frauds and scams increases by the day, so its vital consumers understand the value of their private information and take precautions to keep ID fraud at bay. We are, therefore, pleased to be supporting Get Safe Online Week which aims to encourage people to think about their personal data and how to look after it.

About Equifax

Equifax is a global leader in consumer, commercial and workforce information solutions, providing businesses of all sizes and consumers with information they can trust. We organize and assimilate data on more than 500 million consumers and 81 million businesses worldwide, and use advanced analytics and proprietary technology to create and deliver customized insights that enrich both the performance of businesses and the lives of consumers.

Louise Fowler | Clare Watson | Cecile Stearn | Wendy Harrison Equifax 020 8977 9132 Email Information

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43% of Brits regret giving away too much personal data online

Based upon the design concept of bringing elegance to PCs, Floral Kiss is a new series that was planned and developed primarily under the direction of female employees.

As the first PC to be released under the Floral Kiss brand, Fujitsu will be offering an Ultrabook(TM) developed in an all-out pursuit of elegance, from the size and design of the model to its accessories, mouse, AC adaptor and other peripheral devices, and even to the applications. Featuring the latest Windows 8 OS, a high-performance 3rd generation Intel(R) Core(TM) i5 processor, and 500GB of hard disk space, the new notebook PC's specs are sure to make for a user-friendly experience. It also provides access to My Cloud, Fujitsu's proprietary personal cloud service that will be available as a full-scale service from today.

The new series also includes a model designed in collaboration with the jewelry brand "agete." That model is scheduled to be exhibited at a number of agete's shops.

In recent years, with women accounting for nearly half of PC purchases, the Floral Kiss project was born from the desire of Fujitsu's female employees to create a PC that women would find appealing. The new series, developed under the concept of bringing elegance to all aspects of PC design - from hardware to applications - was created with this aim in mind.

1. Elegant design down to the details

The Floral Kiss series features a unified design sensibility that has been developed for the female consumer - from the PC's design to accessories, such as the mouse and case, and optional add-ons. Users can select their favorite color from among three variations: Elegant White, Feminine Pink and Luxury Brown.

The top casing has been constructed with an elegant and refined gradation with gold trim, and it features a flip latch that can easily open the display - even by users with long fingernails. The power button is adorned with a pearl-like accent, and the power status LED and Caps Lock key are decorated with diamond-cut stone for a sophisticated look. An exquisite gold ring frames each key on the transparent keyboard, highlighting its elegant style. In addition, the outtake and intake vents all feature a floral motif design.

The included AC adaptor and wireless mouse are compact and fit easily into the hands of all users. At the same time, zirconia adornments and other details that give them a stylish appeal.

2. Custom-designed applications

Floral Kiss comes standard with a number of convenient, fun and original applications that users can enjoy in their daily lives.

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Fujitsu Announces New "Floral Kiss" Brand of FMV Personal Computers for Women

SEOUL, SOUTH KOREA and SAN FRANCISCO, CA--(Marketwire - Oct 22, 2012) - AhnLab (KRX:053800), a leading provider of information security products and services for consumers, today announced the availability of the V3 Click, the industry's first Personal Security Appliance.The V3 Click Home Desktop Edition is a compact portable USB appliance that automatically and easily protects computers against viruses, malware, and a host of Internet security threats, in addition to system tune-up.

The V3 Click solves problems end users' experience with traditional anti-virus and security suite software that is often complicated, expensive and degrades system performance.By simply plugging the V3 Click into a PC's USB port and running a simple set up program, a user's desktop or laptop is completely protected in a matter of minutes.When your PC is infected with malware, V3 Click automatically detects them, and the LED on the V3 Click turns from green to red; clicking the button once isolates and removes the malware automatically.

"For many computer users, data security solutions are complex to install, configure and apply to their systems and if they don't install a piece of security software correctly, these systems can be ineffective," said Philip Kim, CEO, AhnLab."The idea behind the V3 Click was to create a personal security appliance that would simplify the installation of security protection for a PC or laptop, easily detect and remove threats, and review the system performance of a user's computer to ensure maximum operational efficiency.We are delighted with the simplicity and effectiveness of the V3 Click for securing an end user's system at home or at work."

In addition to comprehensive security protecting a consumer's PC or laptop, the V3 Click also provides 2.7 GB of secure storage, allowing consumers an added measure of security to protect sensitive documents like tax returns or contracts.Because of its compact design, its ability to store documents securely and provide comprehensive security to any computer it's connected to, the V3 Click is ideal for college students who connect to the Internet on campus, in classrooms, or coffee shops.

The AhnLab V3 Click Home Desktop Edition features strong anti-virus prevention software and a system tune up solution to optimize computer performance.If a user can plug a USB storage device into their system, they can easily install and run the V3 Click as their personal security appliance.Powered through the PC, the V3 Click protects every system it is attached to.USB key fobs and other devices that connected to PCs and laptops via the USB port make this connector an entry point for malware, viruses and Trojan attacks.The V3 Click's USB connection can stop an attack or infection the second it enters a user's protected system, turning a USB connection into a warning system instead of a point of entry for a security threat.

ADDITIONAL TECHNICAL SPECS

Pricing and Availability The V3 Click has a suggested retail price of $49.99 U.S. List and is available through http://www.ahnlab.com and well as in OfficeMax locations across the North America.http://newmk.v3webhard.com/Sales/Product_Intro/V3Click/Design/an_1981.tif

For more information, contact v3click@ahnlab.com.

About AhnLab

Headquartered in South Korea and with US HQ in San Francisco, AhnLab Inc. (KRX:053800) develops industry-leading security solutions and provides professional services that are designed to secure and protect critical business and personal information. As a leading innovator in the information security arena for more than 20 years, AhnLab' s cutting edge products and services fulfills the stringent security requirements of both enterprises and individual users.

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AhnLab Debuts V3 Click -- The World's First Advanced Personal Security Device

Ken Wesler had a classic "what have I done moment" when he first saw the two 80-inch monitors purchased for the Strand theater at the Strand-Capitol Performing Arts Center.

Wesler said he thought the monitors, which arrived earlier this month, were too large to be placed on either side of the 1,262-seat theater and would compromise the audience's view of the live performance.

But the high-definition, flat-screen monitors - purchased to enhance the audience's theater experience - fit perfectly and seem smaller than their actual size amid the theater's grand dcor.

Wesler, the theater's president and chief executive officer, said he worked the monitors and their accompanying camera system during the York Symphony Orchestra's

Ken Wesler, president and CEO of the Strand-Capitol Performing Arts Center, enjoys being able to wow concert-goers with the addition of two 80-inch monitors to the Strand experience. The theaters new camera system allows for close-ups of performers to be displayed on the monitors to either side of the stage during shows. (Randy Flaum photo)

He said comments from concert attendees ranged from "wow" to appreciation for being able to see performers' faces and up-close shots of musicians' fingers onscreen.

"We had a guest pianist, and I zoomed in on the piano and you could see how gracefully her fingers moved as she played," Wesler said. "When the trumpet parts came up, I put the trumpet section on the screens so the audience could really see the players."

Photos of composers and artwork associated with their pieces also can be shown on the monitors during the performances of their music, he said.

How it works: Images for the monitors come from three cameras - two hanging near the theater's balcony area and one onstage facing the audience.

"This is especially great for symphony performances, where the conductor's backis to the audience," Wesler said. "Now the audience can see the conductor's face."

See more here:
Strand adds personal touch with new monitors

Accident claims analysis released by the Highway Loss Data Institute* (HLDI) in September throws a spotlight on the dangers of small cars and may provide an added dimension to determining performance in collisions. How are a larger number of smaller cars topping the list of worst vehicles? Berks County personal injury lawyer Richard P. Console Jr. has a few ideas.

Philadelphia, PA (PRWEB) October 23, 2012

Smaller cars, by definition, have less material available to disperse the energies exerted in a motor vehicle accident, said Console. Smaller vehicles involved in accidents with larger cars usually suffer more significant damage and that exposes their drivers and passengers to greater risk of injury. This new data goes a long way to illuminate what existing crash safety tests might show.

The Yaris performed substantially worse when compared to other mini four-door models in terms of personal injury claims, but fared better than the Chevrolet Aveo in terms of medical payments from at-fault accidents. Accidents involving Aveo drivers at-fault for their collisions from model years 2009 through 2011 generated medical payments 112 percent more often than other cars in the same category, according to the HLDI*. Meanwhile, at-fault Hyundai Accent drivers caused medical payments in 2 percent more claims than those driving the Aveo the worst in its category. Console, and his firm of Lancaster County personal injury lawyers, warns consumers that human error is still the main issue in motor vehicle accidents.

The decisions people make behind the wheel are the leading causes of auto accidents all across the country, he said. A vehicles safety record might be an indicator of how well a given automobile might perform in a crash, but its the human at the wheel who has the greatest control in limiting injuries. An airbag wont stop a driver from speeding or prevent them from disregarding a stop sign.

The Ferrari California convertible caused the highest overall losses in motor vehicle crashes from 2009 through 2011, according to the HLDI*. Accidents involving this high-priced vehicle saw nearly double the losses, including injuries, than those of the second-worst passenger car, the Maserati Granturismo 2dr. The average repair bill for the Ferrari California from 2009 through 2011 was about $82,000, according to the New York Times**.

Console & Hollawell P.C. is a personal injury law firm serving car accident victims in Philadelphia and Pennsylvania as a whole since 1994. The firms tireless efforts have obtained more than $30 million in compensation for their clients and earned the practices attorneys a 97 percent success rating.

** http://wheels.blogs.nytimes.com/2012/09/20/from-the-insurance-industry-a-seldom-used-barometer-of-vehicle-cost/

Richard Console Console & Hollawell P.C. 856-778-5500 311 Email Information

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Small, but Deadly: Philadelphia Personal Injury Attorneys Console & Hollawell React to New Safety Report from the ...

BEDFORD, Mass.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--

iWalk, the leader in Personal Bionics, today launched the new Personal Power Package for the BiOM Ankle System, further improving the bionic tuning process and increasing battery performance by up to 20 percent. The BiOM Ankle System is the only lower-limb Personal Bionics solution to enable individuals to walk with the same gait and effort as non-amputees. The system is currently available domestically through a vast network of iWalk Certified Bionics Centers (CBCs), VA Medical Centers and the Department of Defense.

iWalk is committed to transforming the prosthetic industry by developing dependable personalized bionic mobility solutions that normalize function, said Tim McCarthy, President and CEO, iWalk. The new Personal Power Package for the BiOM Ankle System is just another example of how we continue to closely emulate an individuals muscle and tendon function, enabling them to return to work and resume other important daily activities faster and with greater ease than ever before.

Personal Power Package Enhancements

The new Personal Power Package improves product performance and user convenience through a series of enhancements to both the hardware and software.

Power of Personal Bionics

Personal Bionics is a new category of medical devices which emulate a specific individuals muscle and tendon function. While traditional lower-limb prosthetics only replicate bone structure, the BiOM emulates the calf muscle and Achilles tendon to help normalize function. The BiOM Ankle System features Powered Plantar Flexion, which is the push off that enables people to walk with a natural gait and the same metabolic energy as a non-amputee. The Personal Bionic Tuning capabilities enable certified prosthetists to further enhance the user experience by adjusting natural movements to personal preference within normative human performance standards.

About iWalk

iWalk, Inc. is the pioneer and leader in personal bionic innovation. With the introduction of BiOM technology, the company has been able to embrace mobility and extend potential for people with lower limb loss. In the future, the same underlying technology will also help people whose mobility is limited by stroke, diabetes or other conditions of disease or age.

The company was founded in 2006 by Dr. Hugh Herr, director of the Biomechatronics Group at the MIT Media Lab. Privately held and headquartered in Bedford, Mass, the company has received funding and support from the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, the U.S. Armys Telemedicine and Advanced Technology Research Center (TATRC) and leading venture firms WFD Ventures, General Catalyst Partners, Sigma Partners and Gilde Healthcare Partners. For more information, please visit http://www.iwalk.com or follow us on Facebook or Twitter (@MyBiOM).

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iWalk Enhances Bionics Experience with New Personal Power Package for BiOM® Ankle System